The Bookmobile recently welcomed two new faces to its cast of mobile staffers. This month we introduce you to Frannie, who also works on the Help Desk.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK ON THE BOOKMOBILE? It is a blast! I get to talk to all sorts of people about the things they like, and that is by no means limited to books. From 8-year-olds looking for the latest graphic novels to 68-year-olds who love British comedies, I can find something for you, but mostly I am here for the chats!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THE BOOKMOBILE? Driving by people who wave, remembering I’m not in just any old car, and waving back grinning from ear to ear.
SHARE A BOOKMOBILE MEMORY WITH US. I once had a really deep chat with a kid who hated squirrels. And train tracks. We had a lot in common.
WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT THE BOOKMOBILE? Besides how awesome it is, which most who have been aboard already know, I would like people to know there’s a stop for everyone regardless of where they live, work, or go to school we are here to bring the library to you!
ICPL’s Winter/Spring Bookmobile Service Begins Jan. 6
The Iowa City Public Library Bookmobile’s fall schedule ends on December 19. The Bookmobile won’t be in service December 20 through January 5 because of scheduled vehicle maintenance, collection updates, and staff training.
During the Bookmobile’s seasonal break in service, items can be returned at the downtown Library or to the Library’s remote drop boxes. Holds that were on the Bookmobile will be moved to the downtown Library for patrons to pick up. Hold that arrive at the Library during this time can be found by inquiring at the Help Desk at the or on the Bookmobile when our Winter/Spring Schedule begins.
The Winter/Spring Schedule begins Monday, January 6, and will continue through Thursday, May 21. Please visit the Bookmobile at the following locations during this time:
Monday
10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Iowa City Rehabilitation
11:30 a.m. to Noon North Dodge Hy-Vee
1 to 1:30 p.m. Regency Heights Apartments
1:45 to 2:15 p.m. Legacy Independent Living
3 to 3:30 p.m. Bohumil Shimek Elementary
4 to 4:45 p.m. Helen Lemme Elementary
5 to 5:30 p.m. Waterfront Hy-Vee
Tuesday
9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Terry Trueblood Recreation Area
10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Oaknoll Retirement Community, George St.
11:45 to 12:30 p.m. Faith Academy
1 to 1:30 p.m. University of Iowa College of Medicine Courtyard
2:30 to 3 p.m. Melrose Meadows
3:30 to 4 p.m. Hills Elementary
Wednesday
3:15 to 4 p.m. Irving Weber Elementary
4:15 to 4:45 p.m. St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
5 to 5:30 p.m. GreenState Credit Union, Mormon Trek Blvd.
Thursday
9:30 to 10 a.m. Mercer Park
10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Autumn Park Apartments
11 to 11:30 a.m. First Avenue Hy-Vee
2:15 to 2:45 p.m. Mark Twain Elementary
3 to 3:30 p.m. Grant Wood Elementary
3:45 to 4:15 p.m. Archibald Alexander Elementary
4:30 to 5 p.m. Breckenridge Estates
Books on wheels: The impact of Bookmobiles
The Christian Science Monitor recently published an article featuring the mobile branch of the Queens Library, which visits area homeless shelters.
In a statement, the publication stated, "The bookmobile has a history of bringing the written word to people who can’t get to a library building. Queens has taken that ethos further, parking its mobile library at homeless shelters in the borough."
Bookmobiles aren’t new in New York, but the City Council provided the Queens branches with two new buses in 2016 with the goal of extending the library's outreach efforts. Read more about the amazing impact bookmobiles have here.
